Mother and friend charged with capital murder after 1-year-old dies

Opelika, Ala. (TCD) — Authorities have apprehended a 32-year-old mother and her 29-year-old cohabitant following the tragic discovery of a deceased infant in their residence earlier this week.

Seth Kendrick, Dorothy HightPhoto byOpelika Police

According to a press release from the Opelika Police Department, officers responded to a distress call on Tuesday, Feb. 20, just after midnight, at the 200 block of 24th Street regarding an unresponsive 1-year-old boy. The child, identified as Ezekiel Narville by AL.com, was rushed to East Alabama Medical Center but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Subsequent investigations led police to identify the child's mother, Dorothy Hight, and her companion, Seth Kendrick, as the primary suspects in the infant's demise. Both individuals were apprehended and charged with capital murder.

The Alabama Department of Forensic Science will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death. However, Opelika Police Capt. John Hester indicated that the child had suffered apparent physical injuries.

Expressing the gravity of the situation, Hester stated, "We take all homicides seriously, but when it’s a kid, it is worse. Most of us have children, and these cases are harder to work. It takes a toll."

Kendrick and Hight are currently detained in the Lee County Jail as the investigation continues.

Information from AL.com, WTVM, CBS42, & Lee County